Category: Compact System Camera

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

The Panasonic GF7 is a lightweight and compact Micro Four Thirds camera featuring a tiltable 3" 1040k-dot touchscreen, a 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor, Full HD / 50p video recording capabilities and built-in Wi-Fi. The camera also sports a wide variety of automatic and rapid AF functionalities including a Low Light AF mode that sets focus on your subject more precisely in darker conditions without the need for an AF assist lamp. In addition to the conventional Face Recognition AF, the Lumix GF7 also incorporates Face / Eye Detection AF, which automatically set the focus right on your subject’s eyes. The camera’s advanced Intelligent D-range Control also gives you greater control over the final image so that every part - from the dark sections to bright – is faithfully reproduced. The on-board Wi-Fi module enables you to shoot both photo and video using your smartphone or tablet as a remote control for the shutter, zoom, focus, aperture and more. The Panasonic Lumix GF7 also features a new Jump Snap function, where you can achieve great shots of you and your friends jumping in the air. The remote control smartphone automatically detects the highest point of your jump, and releases the GF7’s shutter while you’re mid-air. The camera will be available from March, priced at £429. In the U.S.A. the Panasonic Lumix GF7 will be sold in a bundle with the 12-32mm collapsible zoom lens, for a kit price of $599.

The new Fujifilm X-A2 is an ultralight, "selfie-ready" compact system camera featuringo a 175° tilting LCD, a 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and newly-developed Eye auto focus (AF), Auto Macro AF and Multi-Target AF technologies. Other highlights include on-board Wi-Fi, in-camera raw processing, a sensitivity range of ISO 100 – ISO 25600, a start-up time of 0.5 seconds, new Classic Chrome and other film simulation modes, Full HD videos, and a multiple exposure mode. The Fujifilm X-A2 ships with the newly-developed Fujinon XC16-50mm II (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens, for a kit price of £449.99 / $549.95. Availability is slated for February in the USA and March in the UK.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Samsung has announced a firmware update for the Samsung NX1 compact system camera. The new release incorporates a variety of Movie mode refinements, several interface upgrades and expanded connectivity options. Other updates include Trap Shot, an addition to the Samsung Auto Shot mode. Users can now adjust the settings so that when a moving object hits this line, the camera will automatically take a picture. PC tethering via USB is now a reality for those using Samsung Remote Studio software and developers can take advantage of Samsung’s Software Development Kit for Windows PC, meaning they have remote access and control software for the Samsung NX1. The firmware update will be available later this month. Click through / scroll down for the complete list of feature improvements.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Eyefi and Olympus are partnering to make Eyefi mobile apps and Eyefi Cloud available as a photo management and syncing solution for all Olympus Wi-Fi camera customers. “We’re extremely pleased to collaborate with industry leader Olympus Imaging Corporation to provide its customers a rich mobile experience for their photos taken with the latest Wi-Fi cameras that include Olympus OM-D, Olympus PEN and more,” said Matt DiMaria, CEO of Eyefi. “This is a strong endorsement of Eyefi’s ability to deliver photo-centric apps and services designed to help photographers use the camera of choice to take photos without sacrificing convenience.” Photographers who use Olympus Wi-Fi cameras will now be able to take photos with their cameras, have those photos available on their mobile device to edit, organise and share and sync them through Eyefi Cloud so they are instantly available on all devices -- smartphones, tablets, desktops and even smart TVs. Additionally, Olympus customers who take photos with their smartphone will be able to enjoy those photos right alongside the ones they took with their Olympus camera in a single, organised unified library. Moreover, Olympus Wi-Fi camera customers will benefit from value pricing on Eyefi Cloud in which they receive both additional duration in the free trial and a discounted rate on an annual membership.

This week we’re revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2014.

The Compact System Camera of the Year 2014 award goes to the Samsung NX1.

“The Samsung NX1 majors in two key areas - features and image quality - and backs them up with excellent handling and customisability, solid build quality, and importantly a very reasonable price tag for everything that's on offer.”

Friday, December 19, 2014

To celebrate the release of the Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Silver edition (read review), Fujifilm and Globe-Trotter have joined forces to create an exclusive mirrorless camera kit. Handcrafted at the Globe-Trotter workshop in Hertfordshire, England, each bespoke, 21’’ Trolley Case features a Fujifilm X-T1 camera body in Graphite Silver, a range of hand-picked Fujinon optics, dedicated accessories and an engraved Apple iPad Air 2 16GB. The set also includes a unique handmade Day Bag, featuring leather straps, plush internal dividers to protect the X-T1 and its accompanying lenses, beautifully embossed with the iconic Globe-Trotter logo. The limited edition run of 10 handmade travel cases is available exclusively at Harrods from Saturday 20th December 2014.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Samsung has announced the premiere of a new short film created by renowned actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his open collaborative production company, hitRECord. ‘In a City’ was shot entirely on the Samsung NX1 compact system camera (pictured) in 4K resolution. “This emotive short film is testament to both Joseph’s exceptional talents as a director and the outstanding technology within the Samsung NX1,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics. “The NX1’s advanced features make it ideal for filmmakers in search of a camera with 4K UHD capabilities, to wow their audiences with exceptional beauty and clarity in every shot.” Click through / scroll down to watch the movie.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Samsung has posted a firmware update for the Samsung NX Mini compact system camera. According to the company, version 01.08 brings "improved Wi-Fi connection." You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Sony UK has announced the recommended retail price of the new, full-frame Sony Alpha A7 II compact system camera. Billed as the world's first 35mm full-frame mirrorless camera with 5-axis image stabilisation, the Sony Alpha-7 II has a new front dial, an enlarged right-hand grip, a repositioned shutter release and a reinforced lens mount. In addition, the Sony A7 II boasts faster auto focus and better subject tracking capabilities than its predecessor, and benefits from XAVC S and S-Log2 support. In the US, the Sony Alpha-7 II will be available for £1,500 (body only) and £1,700 with the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Sony USA has announced the recommended retail price of the new, full-frame Alpha A7 II compact system camera. Billed as the world's first 35mm full-frame compact system camera with 5-axis image stabilisation, the Sony Alpha-7 II has a new front dial, an enlarged right-hand grip, a repositioned shutter release and a reinforced lens mount. In addition, the Sony A7 II boasts faster auto focus and better subject tracking capabilities than its predecessor, and benefits from XAVC S and S-Log2 support. In the US, the Sony Alpha-7 II will go on sale on 9th December for $1700 in a body-only configuration and $2000 in a kit with the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens.

As part of the ongoing Panasonic cashback promotion, if you purchase a Lumix camera or camcorder from a participating retailer between 28th November and 1st December, you will be eligible to claim cashback up to £200 (€240). To claim the cashback on qualifying Lumix, Lumix G camera and camcorder models (Panasonic Lumix HC-X920, HC-W850, HC-V750, HC-V550, HC-V250, DMC-GH4, DMC-GH3, DMC-G6, DMC-GX7, DMC-GM1, DMC-LX7, DMC-LF1, DMC-FZ200, DMC-FZ72, DMC-TZ60), participants must complete the online registration form at the website below.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

The Sony Alpha 7 II (ILCE-7M2) is the world's first 35mm full-frame compact system camera with 5-axis image stabilisation. Moreover, Sony claims that this sensor-shift IS system can work in synergy with the company's optically stabilised OSS lenses for an even stronger effect. Other major improvements over the original Sony A7 include a new front dial, a bigger right-hand grip, a repositioned shutter release and a reinforced lens mount. In addition, the Sony A7 II boasts faster auto focus and better subject tracking capabilities, and benefits from XAVC S and S-Log2 support. The sensor's core specifications (35.8x23.9mm, 24.3 [effective] megapixels, ISO100-25,600) are the same as those of the previous model.The Sony Alpha A7 II will go on sale on 5th December, priced at 190,000 yen (£1025) in Japan. European availability is slated for January 2015.

Fujifilm will be releasing a major firmware update for its X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition (pictured) to enhance operability and functions. This upgrade brings no less than 21 functional enhancements including a fully silenceable electronic shutter, instant manual override in auto focus mode, Natural Live View, a new Classic Chrome Film Simulation mode, unlocked AE-L & AF-L buttons, direct AF area selection (bypassing the Fn key), direct selection of Macro mode, variable MF area, and much more. The firmware update will be available on 18th December.

Fujifilm will shortly be releasing firmware upgrades for its X-E2, X-Pro1 and X-E1 compact system cameras. New features and enhancements will include a Classic Chrome film simulation mode, interval timer shooting, enhanced wireless function for shooting from your smartphone or tablet, and full-time manual focus override during auto focus operation. The first three features are new to the X-E2 model only, while the fourth enhancement will be applicable to all three cameras. The firmware updates will be available on 18 December 2014.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Today Panasonic announced the new firmware update program for its Lumix GH4 compact system camera. Firmware version 2.1 will enable users to embed the time code and recording control signal in the HDMI output signal. Additionally both FHD at 30p/25p native or at 60p/50p will be selectable to output via HDMI while recording video in FHD at 30p/25p. The Interface Unit DMW-YAGH will also be updated to firmware version 1.1 to support these functional enhancements. The new firmware updates are scheduled to be released with more information in detail at the Panasonic Support Sites in December, 2014.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Photographer Andrew Whyte used the Sony A7S to capture a series of stunning images at some of the 92 Dark Sky Sites and parks across the United Kingdom. Andrew, who specialises in long-exposure photography, used the Sony A7S on a series of overnight shoots in Northumberland National Park and the Brecon Beacons (one of only five areas in the world granted International Dark Sky Reserve status). “As a long-exposure photographer, I’m always searching for equipment which renders great detail while allowing me the largest range of creative potential. I’ve been truly blown away by the image quality I can capture in low light using the Sony A7S," Whyte says. "The shots are incredibly low noise, and the camera’s sensitivity opens up so many possibilities for the photographer.”

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Panasonic UK has announced its Christmas 2014 cashback offer. Included in this promotion is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 compact system camera (with a cashback amount of £100 / €120), the Lumix DMC-TZ60 travel compact, and the HC-V550 camcorder (each with a cashback amount of £30 / €35). This promotion will run to 12th January 2015. To claim the cashback on qualifying Lumix, Lumix G camera and camcorder models, participants (aged 18 or over only) must complete the online registration form at the website below. The last date for registration will be 27th February 2015.